Chapter 31: The Apocalys Magic Mini-Class

“’Hmm… where should I even begin?’” Mulee Hua mused, her fingers tracing her chin, lips pursed in thought.

‘Hey, hey? Are you stuck already, right at the start? This lecturer is way too awkward.’

‘Can this girl even do it…?’

Votila couldn’t help but begin to doubt her.

“Oh! I’ve got it!” Mulee Hua exclaimed, her small hand lightly tapping her palm as if a sudden realization had struck her. “Let’s find a classroom.”

‘Huh? Didn’t you just act like we wouldn’t need a classroom?’

Gasla, who had been lying on the ground, lifted his head, gazing at the girl and the cat with a lonely expression. “Woof, woof.”

“Hmm… Gas, you come along too.”

“Woof, woof.” The previously forlorn dog immediately brightened.

‘Actually, this silly dog just wants someone to play with, doesn’t it?’ Votila thought.

“Help me bring up the box, Gas.”

“Woof!” The fierce dog wagged its tail, bouncing happily as it ran out.

The girl, the cat, and the dog made their way to the top floor, an attic Mulee Hua used to store books.

Hanging a blackboard on a shelf, Mulee Hua sat primly at a wooden table, resembling a teacher.

Clearing her throat, she adopted a serious expression. “Ahem… And now! The Apocalys Magic Mini-Class is officially in session! Everyone, applause!”

“Woof, woof!” Gasla sat upright on the floor, raising his front paws and mimicking human applause, tapping his two front legs together.

Votila waved a paw dismissively.

‘I’m here to learn magic, not to play make-believe!’

“So, first! Lecture number one. Before we discuss human magic factions, let’s understand the concept of magic itself! What is the essence of magic?”

The essence of magic?

Votila recalled the sensation of using magic in the past.

It was simply about envisioning the desired effect, then using consciousness to activate magical energy. The magic would then manifest naturally.

This was how dragons perceived magic.

“The origins and development of human magic are largely untraceable. In today’s highly advanced human magical civilization, the most widely accepted concept for how magic is generated is that…”

Mulee Hua paused mysteriously, then slowly continued, “Magical energy, guided by consciousness, flows in a specific manner, interfering with the world-line. This produces supernatural phenomena that defy the laws of physics—that is magic.”

“It’s like how a closed coil cutting magnetic field lines generates an induced current; it cannot be fully explained, yet it objectively exists.”

Votila was somewhat surprised. Although the girl’s explanation seemed to contain some rather unexpected elements, this was the first time he had heard such a definition.

“And through centuries of accumulated human research, Archmages have discovered, summarized, and concluded that the creation of magic requires three essential elements.”

“First, the involvement of consciousness; second, a source of magical energy; and third, a medium to carry the flow of magical energy. None of these three can be absent.”

“To use magic, these three elements must be present, but the elements themselves can be diverse.”

“Thus, human Archmages have developed various methods for using magic.”

“Furthermore, based on the different ways magic is produced, three main schools of thought have been classified.”

Mulee Hua said, gently tapping the table again. “Remember to mark the following content as important; it will be on the test!”

Votila sat upright on the table, his gaze fixed on Mulee Hua, signaling that he was listening intently.

“Ahem… The three main schools of human magic.”

“The first, and the most primitive and ancient, generates magic by chanting incantations or spiritual words to communicate with magical energy. This school is known as Spellcraft.”

“The second, which involves drawing upon magical energy through specific bodily movements—such as gestures, hand seals, mudras, or dances—is called Sigilcraft.”

Sigilcraft magic?!

Votila suddenly remembered the witch he had encountered by the lake, Agnes. When she used magic, she didn’t chant any spells; she merely moved her fingers slightly, and a wind blade formed in her hand.

‘So, that was Sigilcraft magic. If one didn’t understand its principles, it would indeed be easy to fall victim to it.’

“The third kind… is a relatively special type that has only developed in the last hundred years.” Mulee Hua glanced at Votila with a subtle expression. “That is the type you wish to learn, Rinna, Programmatic Magic.”

“Spellcraft is more traditional and formulaic, accompanying the entire history of human magic development. Its content is vast, perhaps less adaptable, but it is easy to master and the most widely used.”

“Sigilcraft varies from person to person, relying more on innate talent. Its methods are more efficient than Spellcraft.”

“Finally, unlike Spellcraft and Sigilcraft, Programmatic Magic has a very short development history, and it is more complex, intricate, and difficult to master. Many people spend their entire lives without finding its path.”

“But!” Mulee Hua’s mood suddenly became inexplicably high-spirited and excited. “Programmatic Magic possesses infinite possibilities!”

Votila watched the suddenly excited Mulee Hua speechlessly.

‘This girl isn’t just a cat lover; she’s also a fervent enthusiast of Programmatic Magic, isn’t she?’

‘But, I understand all the theory. Can you just get to the useful parts?’